Archive for the ‘Home Buyers’ Category

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Legal and Illegal Basement Suites in Calgary

Friday, August 19th, 2022
As a Realtor, I often get questions about Legal and Illegal Basement Suites in Calgary.
I have been through the process of converting an Illegal Suite to a Legal suite and want to share my understanding of what is happening with Basement Suites in Calgary.
In Calgary, I would estimate that 90% of suites are illegal.  The City of Calgary previously had a strategy that they would not ever shut down an illegal suite unless there was a complaint.  Complaints typically came from a neighbour and were most often about parking or noise.
A couple of years back the City changed their position and started to encourage people with illegal suites to convert them to legal suites.  They said at that time they would make it easy for people to convert to legal if the existing suite was built before March 12, 2018.  To convert you would  need to:
a) Re-designate that Land use if not already allowed
b) Require the suite to meet all current fire code.
What they will not look at is meeting building code which is what makes it very expensive to meet.
At that time they gave people a couple of years grace and then the plan was to shut down the rental of all illegal suites. In December 2021 the City identified a large majority of suites had not made the conversion.  In December 2021 City Council extended the amnesty program until December 2023 so suites need to be converted prior to this.
The additional risk to buying an illegal suite is during conversion the City will post a notice to change Land Use and there is a  possibility that neighbours  complain about it and if the City does not approve the land use change then you have a home without a suite.  I have never heard of this happening but it is a possibility.

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TSW Real Estate Group Announcement

Tuesday, December 15th, 2020

New Designations 

At TSW Real Estate Group we take our business seriously and understand that the more education we have the better we are able to Serve our Clients.  We are happy to announce that all Agents with TSW Real Estate Group have now received the following 2 new Designations.

SRS:  Sellers Representative Specialist

Seller Representative Specialist

Seller Representative Specialist

ABR: Accredited Buyers Representative

Accredited Buyers Representative

Accredited Buyers Representative

 

This adds to our list of current Designations:

CCS: Certified Condo Specialists

Certified Negotiation Expert

At TSW Real Estate Group – It’s all about you!

 

 

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Relocating to a Different Town or City

Tuesday, June 16th, 2020

Moving around the corner or even across town is relatively simple because you are likely familiar with the various neighborhood’s and you can access them anytime. If there’s a listed home you want to view, you can simply go see it. Relocating to a different town or city, however, is much more challenging. It may not be possible for you to make multiple visits to see homes for sale. You may also be unfamiliar with the various neighborhood’s.  So what do you do if you want to move out-of-town or need to relocate due to work?

Your first step is to get the information you need.

  • You’ll want up-to-date data on the neighborhood’s so you can pinpoint the ones that are the best fit for your needs and lifestyle.
  • You’ll also want to get a sense of the types of homes for sale in those neighborhoods — style, size, features, listing price, etc.
  • A conversation with a Local agent can be a wealth or information.
  • Once you have an idea of area’s of interest have your agent set you up on a listing’s search – If you have time do this 3 -6 months early so you get a sense of prices in neighborhoods.

Your next step is to schedule a day (or more)  to view homes.  Remember buying a home is a huge investment so its wise to not rush the process. This visit must be carefully planned so you only see those properties that are likely to be of interest. You don’t want to travel all that way only to end up seeing properties you wouldn’t likely buy. What a waste of time!

So, if you’re relocating, you’ll need help. Give me a call. I can help make the relocation go smoothly for you.

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9 Steps to Finding your Next Dream Home

Friday, May 1st, 2020

If you’re thinking ahead to your next dream home, the road you need to take to get there may seem confusing. Do you search for listings online? Drop by Open Houses on the weekends? Call the number on For Sale signs? Let’s break it all down! Here are the specific steps you need to take to ensure you find a home that fits your wants, needs and budget.

1. Find out how much your current property will likely sell for on today’s market.

2. Arrange for financing, so you know what you can afford.

3. Select neighbourhood’s you’d love to live in. (That may involve some fun exploring!)

4. Decide on the type of home you want to buy. (For example: detached, three-bedroom, etc.)

5. Prioritize the property features you want into must haves and wants, so you can be flexible if a feature is missing from a home listed on the market that is otherwise ideal.

6. View properties on the market that closely fit your criteria, particularly new listings that may not yet be posted online. (Tip: Arrange to be immediately notified of new listings that are a good fit for you.)

7. When you find a home you want, make an offer designed to get the property — without overpaying.

8. Negotiate until you secure the deal. This may involve counter-offers.

9. If the negotiation is skillfully done and all goes well, the home is yours. As you can see, there isn’t a lot of mystery in finding your next dream home. You just need to take the steps and get the professional help you need along the way. Looking for a real estate agent that can get you to the finish line? Contact us today

TSW Real Estate group has created a Home Buyer’s Action Plan – Get your free copy here

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What if your Ideal Home Isn’t Available?

Tuesday, April 21st, 2020

Imagine you’re looking for a new home. You have a list of all the features you want, just like you would have a grocery shopping list. However, when you explore the homes currently on the market, none meets all your criteria. What do you do? You have a few good options.

First, you can take a second look at your list. Does your new home need every single feature on it? Are there one or two features you can do without? For example, can you for a smaller kitchen assuming the property has everything else you want? Often, buying a home that’s close to perfect is perfect enough.

Second, consider what features you might be able to add to a home later, by way of a renovation or other improvement. If a property doesn’t have a finished basement, for example, you might be able to get that done down the road. Indeed, there are probably many features you can add later to an otherwise desirable property.  It is critical to prioritize your wish list and realize what can and cannot be changed later.  IE: Do not compromise on LOCATION as that cannot be changed.

Finally, consider the current level of activity in the local real estate market. Is it likely that a lot of new homes will be coming on the market soon? If so, your perfect home may come up on the market within the next few weeks. Maybe even tomorrow! In that situation, make sure you arrange to get immediate alerts for newly listed homes that meet your criteria. You’ll want to jump on each new opportunity before other buyers learn of the listing. The good news is, in most cases you should be able to find and buy a great home, with most — if not all — of the features you want.

My last tip here is that if none of the above is working  it’s smart to sit down with your Real Estate Agent, have them put in all your criteria then review sold’s for the last year.  If you find little or nothing in that search maybe your looking for something that does not exist meaning you may need to adjust your expectations.  Want some help finding your dream home – Contact us now. 

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3 Not-So-Obvious Indicators it’s Time to Sell

Saturday, October 6th, 2018

There are many good reasons to put your property on the market. Some examples include a relocation, the kids leaving the nest, the need for something bigger or smaller, and the list goes on and on.

However, there are also some less-than-obvious indicators that it may be time to sell. Consider the following:             1. Your Property is no longer a Good “Fit” Your home may have been perfect for you when you bought it. But things change. Families grow. Needs evolve. For any number of reasons, your property may no longer be a good fit for you. If that’s the case, it makes sense to at least take a look at what’s available on the market. Who knows? Your next “perfect” home may be for sale right now — within your price range!                                                                                       2. The Neighbourhood is Changing.  You may have been in love with the neighborhood when you first moved in. But, over time, the characteristics of any area can change. Those changes don’t necessarily mean the neighborhood is getting worse. In fact, it may be changing in a positive way; perhaps becoming more urban. But, “more urban” may not be what you want. So take a look at the direction your neighborhood is heading. Ask yourself, “Do I still want to be living here in two years?”                                                                                                                                                                3. You’re Ready for Your Dream Home Remember when you purchased your current property? Did it have every feature you wanted? Was it your dream home? Or, did you have to compromise on a few things, such as the size of the kitchen? If you had to make some tough choices back then, it might be time for you to finally get the home of your dreams.

Those are just three indicators it may be time for you to make a move. Of course, there are many others. If you’ve been entertaining the idea of selling your property and finding your next dream home,  give me a shout, I can show you what’s available on the market, and keep you informed of new listings that match what you’re looking for. Contact me anytime.

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What Type of New Home Are You Qualified to Buy?

Friday, September 14th, 2018

When you think about looking for a new home, one of the first questions that probably comes to mind is: “What type of property can I afford?”

That’s an important question because your price range is a major determining factor in the types and sizes of homes you should be viewing. You don’t want to waste time looking at properties that are beyond your price range. At the same time, you don’t want to purchase a less-than-ideal home, only to realize later on that you could have afforded more. So how do you determine what type of new home you are qualified to purchase?

The first step is to find out what your current property would likely sell for in today’s market. I make that calculation for clients all the time. It involves reviewing what homes similar to yours have sold for recently, as well as other data — such as special features your home may have that are likely to boost the selling price.

Once you know the current market value of your home, subtract any outstanding mortgages and estimated selling expenses, and you’ll end up with an amount that can be applied to the purchase of your next home. (You may also have other funds you want to use.)

The next step is to talk to a lender or mortgage broker to see how much of a new mortgage you qualify for. (Contact me if you need a recommendation.) It’s important to get a proper Pre-Qualification or Pre-Approval. That makes the offer you make on a new home more credible and will also lock you into an interest rate. If you want to find out the types and sizes of homes you can get into, give me a call. I’d be happy to show you the possibilities!

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Open House Questions Some Buyers Forget to Ask

Tuesday, August 28th, 2018

An Open House is an event. And, like many events, it’s easy to get caught up in all the excitement and energy. In fact, when you visit an Open House, you might even end up rubbing elbows with other buyers who are there at the same time. It can feel like a party! In an environment like that, it’s not unusual to forget to ask important questions about the property.

Here are some of the most common:

• How old is the roof?                                                                                                                                                                              • How old is the furnace, air conditioner and other HVAC equipment?                                                                                        • How does the price compare to similar properties in the neighbourhood?  (You don’t want to make an offer that’s too high.)                                                                                                                                                                                                    • What are the characteristics of the neighbourhood? (Amenities, safety, traffic, access to public transit, property turnover, etc.)                                                                                                                                                                                           • What doesn’t come with the home? (Ask specifically about kitchen appliances, gas-connected BBQs, chandeliers, window coverings.)                                                                                                                                                                                  • Are there any potential impediments to the sale? (Tenants, outstanding liens, etc.)                                                              • Are there any outstanding maintenance issues, or repairs that need to be done? (For example, cracked ceramics on the foyer floor.)                                                                                                                                                                                         • Are there any issues that impact the full use of the property? (Ask specifically about shared driveways or walkways, public “right of way” through the property, water drainage rights from neighbouring homes, etc.)

• What factors might impact the re-sale of this home.

Yes, an Open House can feel like a frenzy, and if it’s a home you love, you might feel pressured to make an offer. But, it’s important to take the time to ask the right questions and consider your decision carefully.  One consideration is do you want to be represented by the same agent that’s representing the seller (but that’s a whole other topic).

You don’t want to find out, too late, that there were questions you should have asked.

Want more tips on finding the home of your dreams?  Call today.

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Beware of Over-Downsizing or Over-Upsizing

Tuesday, August 21st, 2018

Buying a new pair of shoes is relatively easy. Once you find the style you like, all you need to do is try them on and see if they fit. If they do, you go to the cash register and pay. When it comes to size, buying a new home can be trickier! Whether your intention is to upsize or downsize, figuring out the right size can be especially challenging. Say for example, you’re downsizing from a large two-story home to a smaller bungalow. You don’t want to underestimate the space you need and end up in a place that feels tight.                                                                                                                    If you’re going the other way and upsizing, you don’t want to end up sinking extra money into a property that’s larger than you really need. So how do you avoid these scenarios? One of the best ways is to start by considering your current home. Do you use all the rooms in your home regularly? Is there a bedroom that’s rarely occupied? Has the recreation room become simply a storage area? If you’re downsizing, subtracting rooms you scarcely use can give you a better idea of what you need in a new home.                                                                                                                                  Upsizing is a bit more challenging because you have to anticipate what you will need in the future. For example, if you have young children, and your place is feeling cramped, then a home with a recreation room or separate family and living rooms may be a good idea. You may also need a bigger kitchen with a spacious eating area (in addition to a separate dining room.) Think about the extra room you’ll need and how you’ll use that space. When I work with a client, I typically sit down with them and discuss the type of home they want in detail — and, based on needs and circumstance, I make expert recommendations. Bottom line, I help clients find the perfect fit in a new home. Contact me if you’d like to learn more.

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No Homes for Sale in the Area You Like?

Tuesday, July 11th, 2017

Here’s What to Do…

Imagine there’s a neighborhood you’d love to live in someday, but, every time you drive through, you rarely, if ever, see a For Sale sign.  It’s as if homes get gobbled up by buyers the moment they get listed.  It’s true, properties do tend to sell quickly in desirable, in-demand neighborhoods. Does that mean you’re destined to either hope for a lucky break or miss out on ever living there?  Fortunately, no.  There are practical things you can do to increase your chances of getting into that neighborhood.  Your first step is to find out the kind of new home you can afford. You want to get your financial ducks in a row so when a listing does come up in the area, you’re able to respond quickly.  Find out the average price range of homes in the neighborhood.  Then, if necessary, talk to your lender or mortgage broker.  The second step is to get your current property ready for sale.  You don’t necessary need to list it now, but you want to be in a position to do so quickly, if necessary.  You may need to clean up and declutter, get repairs done, and spruce up your home in other ways.  The third step is to talk to me. You see, listings in popular neighborhoods often move fast. By the time you see them advertised on the internet, they may be gone.  I can closely monitor listings in that area for you, so the moment one comes up that meets your criteria, you can be alerted. I also have access to many listing before they even hit the market.  This greatly increases your chances of getting that home. So if there is a dream neighborhood you’d love to get into, give me a call.

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